Some Amarillo residents count on the Hilltop Senior Citizens Center for a place to test their pinochle and canasta skills. Others come to exercise. Still others depend on the center’s volunteers to bring a hot meal to their house each weekday.

“I don’t give up,” Lawrence said. “I might give out, but I’m not going to give up. So many people in the community want us to stay. That’s one reason we received the donations we received.”

A bake sale two weeks ago brought in about $3,000, Lawrence said, but bills and expenses of up to $5,000 every month are piling up while the center’s revenues have dropped, Lawrence said.

The drop in funding is due in large part to lost revenue from the organization’s bingo fundraisers at Gold Star II, 3506 Spade Drive, Lawrence said. The senior center is one of five organizations that raise funds at Gold Star II, and a new arrangement with the building’s lessee passed on overhead costs such as taxes, maintenance and insurance to the charitable organizations, said W.L. “Dubb” Davis, a member of the Khiva Temple who oversees the bingo operation.

“That’s another $40,000 for us a year,” Davis said of the five-organization group. “That dropped our income for those charitable purposes.”

The revenue loss hit the senior center hard, Lawrence said.

“That took more money out of the treasury in order for the upkeep,” she said. “We received $569 in January whereas we were receiving $2,000 or 3,000 a month. Big difference.”

Now the organization depends on $20 yearly membership dues, $2 meals, money from renting the facility, funds from the local Area Agency on Aging, and donations from individuals and local organizations to keep going. The center has 156 members on file, Lawrence said.

The senior center receives no grant funding, Lawrence said, and she was unable to get a bank loan because the organization did not have sufficient cash flow.

“Because of the limited personnel and trying to do everything else, trying to keep everything else going I have not had the opportunity … to complete a grant,” Lawrence said.

The senior center has four paid employees and depends largely on volunteers to deliver meals and do other work, Lawrence said.

One cherished volunteer, Raymond Pierson, died over the weekend, she said. He helped around the kitchen, delivered meals, performed janitorial duties and was a member for more than a decade, she said.

“It’s a loss for us, but he’s in a better place,” Lawrence said.

Durlene McCowen said the center is an important outlet for retirees. Many depend on it to stay active and socialize, she said.

“We do different games and things,” McCowen said. “Of course we have exercise class and birthday parties. It’s the fellowship and getting together and entertaining each other. ... It’s really good for our community.”

Activities for seniors is especially important in West Texas, where people 65 and older make up a bigger percentage of the population than faster-growing areas of the state.

U.S. Census Bureau estimates from 2010 show people 65 and older made up 12 percent of the population in Amarillo and 12.5 percent in Abilene.

In comparison, people 65 and older make up 11.3 percent of population in Waco and 9.9 percent of the population in Brownsville, according to Census figures.

To make a donation or to become a member of the Hilltop Senior Citizens Association, call 806-376-9511.

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For all of you jokers out there this is serious business. These are the elderly who have contributed to coming generations. The spoiled brats are being SELFISH AND INCONSIDERATE to their welfare. These are not the people who retire and have 401 k's, or even have a good SS check. So get real and not put these people down!!!

What a shame if this center goes under! These types of places are the only social outlet for a lot of our senior citizens. Plus a place to get what might be one of their only good meals for awhile, as some are unable to cook for themselves. I will be donating for sure!